Share this:

The latest stop on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s statewide local endorsement tour is Albany, where the governor endorsed Democratic city Treasurer Kathy Sheehan for mayor today.

Sheehan, who cruised to victory in September’s primary, faces only poorly funded opposition from candidates hailing from the Republican, Conservative and Green parties, as well as write-in candidates, in next week’s general election.

Perhaps what’s most interesting about Cuomo’s endorsement is that it comes without that of his longtime friend, Mayor Jerry Jennings. Cuomo is weighing in on the race despite the fact that Jennings has chosen to stay out of it — even after Sheehan won the primary to succeed him.

And don’t expect him to: Sheehanhad all kinds of unflattering things to say about Jennings’ latest budget earlier this month. The two Democrats have never been allies in the four years they have shared the first-floor of City Hall.

The messy rift over Occupy Albany notwithstanding, Jennings has been able to capitalize on his close relationship with the governor over the past three years to secure direly needed advances on state aid and jump-start progress on the stagnated downtown convention center project.

Cuomo’s nod may also reflect the sense of inevitability the race has had since September — and the fact that he and Sheehan will in all likelihood be sometimes neighbors, no matter what.

Democrats outnumber Republicans something like 11 to 1 in Albany and haven’t lost a mayoral race since the Woodrow Wilson administration.

But this may just put her over the the top.

Here’s the press release issued by Sheehan’s campaign.

GOV. CUOMO ENDORSES SHEEHAN FOR ALBANY MAYOR

Cuomo: “Sheehan has been a leader in innovative solutions to tough problems and situations”

ALBANY, N.Y. (Oct. 31, 2013) — Kathy Sheehan, Democratic nominee for Mayor of Albany, has received the endorsement of New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

“Kathy Sheehan — as a vice president at a successful medical device manufacturer and as Albany City Treasurer — has been a leader in finding common ground in working to develop innovative solutions to tough problems and situations. It is time to stand united to move Albany to its next great chapter. I look forward to working with Kathy as we continue to open New York for business and I endorse her for Mayor of Albany,” said Gov. Cuomo.

“I am incredibly honored to have the endorsement of Governor Cuomo. As Albany moves into its next chapter, we look forward to partnering with state government and communities throughout the Capital Region to promote innovative solutions. Governor Cuomo is a leader who has been effective in promoting new programs and ideas, ensuring the fiscal future of the Empire State remain strong for generations to come. I look forward to working with Governor Cuomo in moving Albany forward,” said Sheehan.

For more information on Sheehan and her campaign, visit SheehanForAlbany.com. The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 5.

About Capitol Confidential

Capitol Confidential gathers the best coverage of New York politics and puts it all together. Each section - Capitol, The State Worker, New York on the Potomac, and Voices - represents a unique facet of the political scene. The Capitol section features coverage from the Times Union Capitol bureau. The State Worker is dedicated to state worker issues. New York on the Potomac offers news of interest to New Yorkers from Washington. And Voices features the best of everything else, pointing you to columnists and bloggers from across the Web.